Speaking to MPs on 12 May 2021 in response to a question from Felicity Buchan MP, the Prime Minister has indicated that the government's current work from home guidance will end on 21 June 2021. This is when England is due to start step four of the Spring 2021 roadmap. However, a final position is yet to be reached, with the Prime Minister noting that the guidance being changed depends on whether England is able to "stay on track" and remain successful in "keeping the virus down".

Buchan, whose constituency is in London, had highlighted the difficulties facing the city’s economy, with shops and cafes in town and city centres that relied on office workers hit hard by the change in working patterns.  In response, the Prime Minister suggested that the "dynamism" of the UK's cities would return "remarkably quickly" once workers returned to their offices. 

Downing Street would not be drawn on whether the government’s chief scientific adviser (CSA), Sir Patrick Vallance, and the chief medical officer (CMO) for England, Prof Chris Whitty, backed the plan. The prime minister’s spokesperson said: “I can’t speak for the CMO and CSA on this. The government always set out its intention to review this guidance ahead of step 4.”

As employers (and of course employees) across the UK are increasingly seeking clarity as 21 June draws near,  watch this space....